Di María, man of the match

Real Madrid’s Ángel Di María poses with the trophy.

LISBON, Portugal — Argentina attacking midfielder Ángel Di María was chosen as the best player of the Champions League final yesterday and expressed his happiness for clinching the title with Real Madrid.

“I’m very happy for me and the group. We lost La Liga in the last matches and we could have won three titles this year. We all made a big sacrifice this year and we deserved this trophy,” said the Rosario-born Di María.

“I felt I was at home during these days in Lisbon. At this stadium I achieved very important things (playing with Benfica of Portugal), that gave me the opportunity to join Real Madrid later. I was very happy of playing here again.”

Di María, part of the Argentina first team for the World Cup, received the Best Player award from former Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson of Scotland.